Archives May, 2013

Michael Saunders & Company is proud to announce several closings made possible through the professional representation of our agents, who work each day to fulfill the unique needs of homebuyers and sellers. For the week ending May 25, 2013, the properties below sold for over $1 million.Diana Michel of Michael Saunders & Company represented the seller and Gail Wittig and Ian Addy, also of Michael Saunders & Company, represented the buyer of a stunning unit in the award-winning Pierre on Longboat Key. The condominium sold for $1,700,000 on May 7, 2013.Carol Stewart of Michael Saunders & Company represented the seller of a gorgeous 3,000+ square foot home in Gulf Shores North on Boca Grande. The residence sold for $1,037,500 on May 8, 2013. Sotheby’s represented the buyer.Bibi-Ann Allard of Michael Saunders & Company represented the buyer of a spectacular waterfront residence on Shore Acres Drive in Bradenton. The beautifully updated home sold for $1,300,000 on May 9, 2013. Re/Max represented the seller.Gail Wittig and Ian Addy of Michael Saunders & Company represented the buyer of a custom built home filled with elegance and panache located in Lakewood Ranch. The residence sold for $1,350,000 on May 13, 2013. Keller Williams represented the seller.Maureen Horn of Michael Saunders & Company represented the buyer of a picture perfect condominium in La Bellasara. The unit sold for $2,100,000 on May 13, 2013. Coldwell Banker represented the seller.Sue Reske of Michael Saunders & Company represented the buyer of an expansive beachfront home on Longboat Key. The 5-bedroom residence sold for $3,225,000 on May 15, 2013. Coldwell banker represented the seller.Jonathan Fox of Michael Saunders & Company represented the buyer of an elegant Palladian-style home on Sarasota Bay. The 5,100 square foot residence sold for $4,750,000 on May 15, 2013. Sotheby’s represented the seller.Cathy Meldahl of Michael Saunders & Company represented both the buyer and seller of an open bay front home on Dream Island Road located on Longboat Key. It sold for $1,125,000 on May 17, 2013.Sylvia and George Zimmerman of Michael Saunders & Company represented the seller and Stephen Strong, also of Michael Saunders & Company, represented the buyer of a custom residence built to feel like a cruise ship. The Longboat Key home sold for $1,575,000 on May 21, 2013.Janis Collier of Michael Saunders & Company represented the buyer of a maintenance free condominium in Beachplace III on Longboat Key. The unit sold for $1,185,000 on May 23, 2013. Coldwell Banker represented the seller.Linda Dickinson of Michael Saunders & Company represented the seller of a stylish and carefree residence located in Harbour Court on Longboat Key. It sold for $1,325,000 on May 23, 2013. Coldwell Banker represented the buyer.

We start this “23 About Me” with a riddle: Who is at every Michael Saunders & Company location but has no office of their own? Who do we see every day but only know by first name?If you are exceedingly clever or if you have read the title of this post, then you probably have an answer by now: Kevin! (Or more specifically, Kevin Lane) That’s right; Kevin Lane is the Michael Saunders & Company courier. He travels our entire tri-county area to visit each office, from Bradenton IMG Academies to Punta Gorda to Lakewood Ranch real estate office. Kevin drives around 200 miles and makes up to 30 stops a day, transporting inter-office communications, supplies, and a smile upon arrival. (more…)

Like many Longboat Key residents, Marta Altizer began life in the great white north. Marta was born in Charlevoix Michigan and grew up in the resort town of Saugatuck, MI. While in Michigan; Marta pursued her love of art and design, earning her BA from Hope College in Liberal Art, and her MA and MFA from Western Michigan University in Art. Marta’s impressive career and experiences in art and design includes extensive work for European museums and archeology projects, as well as teaching at college level and conducting study tours across Europe.

Marta came to Siesta Key in 1993, while on a short sabbatical from a museum position. She loved the area so much she decided to make Sarasota her home. For the past 15 years she has applied her exceptional design background to several of her own projects on Longboat Key, and has also employed her skills on behalf of her customers, whether finding that architectural masterpiece for the purchase of a dream home, or highlighting the superior design and function of a selling customer’s home.

As a member of the Longboat Key community for over 13 years, Marta has established strong ties not only in the town of Longboat Key, but also in neighboring Anna Maria where she, her husband Craig and son Nicolaas are active members of Roser Memorial Church. Marta is active in her community as an officer of the Sleepy Lagoon Homeowners Association, and a regular volunteer at Anna Maria Elementary School.

Our series, “23 About Me,” was created to get to know the people of Michael Saunders & Company, beyond their expertise in Gulf Coast real estate.This week, we posed our batch of investigative questions to Kristy Lochead, receptionist for the Main Street office located in downtown Sarasota. Always smiling with a cheerful personality, she has just the kind of attitude that would have helped her when, in her youth, she dreamed of becoming a backup dancer for a hugely popular American boy band. Read on to find out which one:Choose one: mountain hideaway, city penthouse or beach house?Beach house, no doubt. (more…)

A longtime Sarasota resident with almost four decades of real estate experience, Tom understands the many charms that make the area truly special to residents and visitors alike. Originally from Johnston, Rhode Island, Tom and his wife relocated to Sarasota in 1977, and shortly after he obtained his real estate license. After graduating from Rhode Island College in 1971, Tom dedicated his time to his community, serving as District Executive for the Boy Scouts of America in Providence. Additionally, he graduated Army Officer Candidate School, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Rhode Island National Guard. A transition to real estate therefore served as an extension of his passion for helping others, allowing him to focus on achieving the goals of homebuyers and sellers. In 1981, Tom founded First Sarasota Mortgage Company, serving as the firm’s President for 30 years. This gave him an unparalleled understanding of the complexities in this vital facet of real estate, and his insight is further enhanced by his position as one of the founding members of the Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers. Tom is passionate about his Italian roots, and his interests include sailing, travel, cooking, wine and, as he says, “anything Italian!”. He and his wife, Marilynn, are proud of their two grown children and look forward to celebrating their 39th wedding anniversary in August 2013.

It is often said that “all real estate is local,” meaning that property values are typically driven by variables that often differ neighborhood by neighborhood; and town by town. However, real estate markets have been anything but typical during the past few years. Consequently, their housing recoveries are contributing mightily to ours.

This is particularly true of the nation’s luxury housing markets, whose bourgeoning recoveries are having a highly positive impact on our region. Luxury markets everywhere slowed considerably in 2008 when much of the discretionary wealth needed to purchase such properties receded from many buyers’ balance sheets during the financial crisis. In truth, most high net worth individuals still had plenty of capital on hand to purchase these properties, but held off until they were certain that markets of interest had bottomed. (more…)

Both originally from Long Island, NY, Laura and Rory have been married for 44 years. They lived and traveled across the country and in Europe, before settling in Colorado for 33 years where they founded a successful real estate firm. Laura says their goal was always to live by the water, and they now reside in beautiful Longboat Key, Florida.

As partners in exceptional real estate service, Laura and Rory bring outstanding experience in assisting home buyers and sellers find their dream home. Owners of their own real estate and custom home building firm, Jaret & Company, for many years, they have unrivaled, first-hand knowledge of the industry and unparalleled insight into the ever-changing market. Committed to fulfilling the goals of their customers, Laura and Rory have cultivated a customer-centric approach that seamlessly guides home buyers and sellers alike.

They are passionate about giving back to the community, and look forward to extending their philanthropy to the many deserving causes in and around Sarasota. They have two children and four grandchildren, who they hope will someday join them to enjoy the Gulf Coast lifestyle.

Last week, we alerted your taste buds to the “Savor Sarasota” event, taking place June 1-14. This week, we thought we would point you in the right direction when it comes to working off all that fabulous food (after all, it is swim suit season!). The area’s beautiful surroundings provide the setting for a host of fun ways to keep fit, so ditch the treadmill and check out our top ten ways to stay active this summer: (more…)

Michael Saunders & Company is proud to announce several leases made possible through the professional representation of our agents who work each day to fulfill the unique needs of commercial buyers, leasers and sellers. For the week ending May 17, 2013: